This verse is familiar to each of us, right? It may have been one of the first verses you memorized. Since God was speaking to me about these words this morning, I thought it would be a good thing to dissect it a little bit. First, the Hebrew word for “hidden” can mean “to store.” So, we need to look at our hearts like a treasure chest that holds valuable stuff… and that valuable stuff is TRUTH (the Word of God). I’m not sure we truly understand the powerful force truth is.
There are many things truth does, but let’s examine three of them today.
1) Truth does not absorb lies! Lou and I were watching a show the other night and there was a twister causing destruction in its pathway. At the same time, a tanker on the ground exploded into a ball of fire. As the twister swirled across the fire, it absorbed it. So then the twirling air became a twirling fireball, which caused much more damage. Here’s the thing… truth will NEVER absorb lies. Truth is a powerful force in and of itself.
2) Truth repels! People often send me articles or messages. Oh, Sheryl, you must watch this. Sometimes as soon as I begin, I know it’s not from God. So, I dismiss it. Other times, it encourages my spirit. Truth repels things that are not from God…like age-old traditions, bad theology we may have grown up with, unbelief, lies, wrong voices, or cultural ideologies that have seeped into the church. Truth is a repelling force.
3) Truth is a magnet! When I drift or begin a downward spiral, truth will pull me back. Truth is a magnet that always pulls me back to what’s right, what’s of God, and what’s good for me. Truth is a magnet to truth. Truth is a powerful magnetic force.
No wonder the Bible tells us to keep God’s Word hidden (or stored) in our hearts. I know that many of use outside resources for our devotions. Sometimes that’s all we use. My encouragement to you today is to use ONLY God’s Word. Put those other resources aside, take only your Bible, and see if God will speak to you in a new way. There’s not a better way to hide TRUTH in our hearts. And the more we fill up our hearts with the unadulterated, authoritative Word of God, the more it will repel wrong theology and draw us back to what’s true and right. Hope this encourages you today.